Stamped ball socket

ABSTRACT

A stamped ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket comprising a base having an opening which is adapted to accept a fastener. The ball socket further comprising at least two walls extending from the base and at least two lock-in fingers protruding at an angle from the walls. The lock-in fingers and the walls of the ball socket flex to allow a pivot ball to be inserted between the lock-in fingers such that when the pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained in the ball socket by the lock-in fingers. Additionally, the base, walls, and lock-in fingers of the present invention are integrally formed by stamping a single piece of metal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/353,974, filed Jan. 31, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to automotive lamps. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to ball sockets securingautomotive headlamps.

[0003] Generally, automotive headlamp designs include a headlamp pod anda mechanism for mounting the headlamp pod to the rest of the automobilestructure. The headlamp assembly usually consists of at least threebasic parts. First, there is the light source itself which provides theillumination. This source is enclosed by the headlamp pod which containsa concave reflective surface that focuses the light toward the front ofthe automobile. There is also a translucent lens which allows the lightto pass through but protects the light source from the elements. Thisentire headlamp pod must be attached to the rest of the automobile.

[0004] There are several qualities that are desirable in the attachmentof the headlamp pod to the rest of the automobile structure. First, itis desirable for the attachment to be secure once the headlamp pod ismounted to the automobile. This is important considering the continuousvibration that an automobile endures as it travels. Over time thisvibration could cause the headlamp to become loose or even detach fromthe automobile, potentially causing a severe accident. Second, it isdesirable in manufacturing for the attachment to require minimum forceto attach the headlamp pod to the mounting bracket. Minimum force toattach the headlamp pod is desirable because such an attachment wouldexert minimum stress on the components of the assembly minimizing thechance of premature failure due to weakening of the components. Third,it is desirable for the attachment to allow the pivoting of the headlamppod to aim the resulting light beams. This allows the headlamp to beadjusted to properly illuminate the surface of the road and the space infront of the vehicle.

[0005] Commonly, assemblies used to attach headlamp pods to automobilesemploy a mounting bracket firmly attached to the automobile. Thesemounting brackets are then fit with a number (usually two or three) ofposts which each terminate in an adjuster pivot ball. A headlamp pod isfitted with corresponding ball sockets which mate with the pivot balls,thereby attaching the pod by two or three pivot points to the mountingbracket. Currently, there are numerous ball socket designs, most ofwhich are molded of nylon. These designs vary from one-piece tothree-piece constructions. In addition to designs using only nylon,other current designs employ combinations of nylon and a steel bracket.

[0006] Some of the current molded designs allow the ball to be snappedinto the socket in one assembly motion. This is a desirable designfeature that makes assembly more efficient. These designs typicallyemploy a one-piece construction using molded nylon. However, because ofthe die lock molding process employed in their manufacture these designsmust be forced from their mold core. This process limits the resultingmolded ball socket's ability to hold the ball in place and preventdisengagement.

[0007] Thus, a need exists for a ball socket which can be manufacturedinexpensively and which allows the ball to be mated to the socket inone, relatively simple assembly motion. Additionally, the ball socketmust not suffer from the lack of retention strength of current moldedone-piece ball sockets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides for a ball socket designcomprising a single metal piece stamped to form a ball socket forattaching headlamp pods securely to a mounting bracket on an automobile.The present invention pivotably attaches a headlamp pod to a mountingbracket having one or more adjuster pivot balls. In particular, thestamped ball socket of the present invention is pivotably attached tothe headlamp pod by utilizing a fastener, such as, for example, anattachment screw, inserted through an attachment hole and into theheadlamp pod. The mounting bracket is then attached by inserting theadjuster pivot ball into the stamped ball socket. However, the presentinvention may also be utilized to connect a headlamp pod with anadjuster pivot ball to a mounting bracket without an adjuster pivot ballsimply by securing the stamped ball socket to the mounting bracketutilizing a fastener inserted through the attachment hole. The adjusterpivot ball is then inserted into the stamped ball socket to secure theheadlamp pod.

[0009] The ball socket of the present invention comprises a base havingan opening which is adapted to accept a fastener. The fastener isinserted through the opening and engages the headlamp pod to fixedlysecure the ball socket to the headlamp pod. The ball socket furthercomprises at least two walls extending from the base and at least twolock-in fingers protruding at an angle from the walls. The lock-infingers and the walls of the ball socket of the present invention flexto allow a pivot ball to be inserted between the lock-in fingers suchthat when the pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained inthe ball socket by the lock-in fingers. In addition, the base, walls,and lock-in fingers of the present invention are integrally formed bystamping a single piece of metal.

[0010] While many embodiments of the present invention are possible andintended to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto, threeexemplary embodiments are described herein. The first exemplaryembodiment comprises four walls, with each wall having an angled lead-intab at one end. Extending from the four lead-in tabs are four lock-infingers which project into the stamped ball socket at the same angle asthe angled lead-in tabs. The second exemplary embodiment comprises twowalls, which are wider than the walls in the first exemplary embodiment.Again, each wall is bent outwards and terminates in an angled lead-intab and also further comprises lock-in fingers. Extending from the othertwo sides are sidewalls, which are shorter than the other two walls.Finally, the third exemplary embodiment comprises two walls, each withlock-in fingers. The lock-in fingers of this exemplary embodiment havean arcuate edge surface which, along with the upper portion of the wall,is folded inwards at an angle. Each embodiment allows an adjuster pivotball to be snapped into the ball socket in one assembly motion, with theadjuster pivot ball then pivotably secured to the ball socket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one exemplary embodiment ofa stamped ball socket in accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top view of the sheet metal required to form thestamped ball socket of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front exploded perspective view of a headlamp assemblyemploying three stamped ball sockets of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a second exemplary embodimentof a stamped ball socket in accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a top view of the sheet metal required to form thestamped ball socket of FIG. 4;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a third exemplary embodimentof a stamped ball socket in accordance with the present invention; and

[0017]FIG. 7 is a top view of the sheet metal required to form thestamped ball socket of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 1, stamped ball socket 10 is a one-piece stamping of asingle flat sheet of metal 15 as depicted in FIG. 2. The presentinvention may be stamped from any suitable metal known in the art, suchas heat-treated spring steel or half-hard RC 32 300 series stainlesssteel. Stamping the present invention from a metal such as steelprovides a stronger socket than current molded sockets known in the artwhich are often molded of nylon. Molded sockets must be flexed andforced from their mold, limiting the amount of retention force which maybe obtained from a molded socket. In addition, sockets molded from nylonare sensitive to heat and moisture which can further reduce theretention force which may be obtained. This is not an issue with metal,such as the steel described above, used for the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an assembly utilizing threestamped ball sockets 10 to join headlamp pod 20 to a mounting bracket40. Headlamp pod 20 may be any headlamp pod known in the art whichrequires mounting on an automobile (not shown). Mounting bracket 40 maybe, for example, any bracket fixed to an automobile for the purpose ofsupporting a headlamp assembly. Alternatively, mounting bracket 40 maybe integrally formed as a support surface on the automobile. In eithercase, mounting bracket 40 is manufactured with one or more adjusterpivot balls 50 projecting on posts from its surface. As shown in FIG. 3,mounting bracket 40 is shown with three such adjuster pivot balls 50which snap into three stamped ball sockets 10.

[0020] Referring again to FIG. 1, the structure of the first exemplaryembodiment of stamped ball socket 10 is shown. In the center of base 60of stamped ball socket 10 is attachment hole 70 which allows stampedball socket 10 to be fixedly fastened to headlamp pod 20 using fastener30, as depicted in FIG. 3. While base 60 may be any one of a variety ofshapes, in FIG. 1 base 60 is shown with a square shape. Fastener 30 maybe any of a number of frictional or mechanical fasteners known in theart, such as a bolt or screw. As shown in FIG. 3, fastener 30 is anattachment screw. The four walls 80 of stamped ball socket 10 eachextend from one of the four sides of base 60. Four walls 80 are onlyattached on one side to base 60 and are not generally attached to eachother. This allows each wall 80 to flex slightly in a directionindependent of other walls 80. Distal to base 60, each wall 80 is bentoutwards and terminates in angled lead-in tab 90. Lead-in tabs 90 aid inguiding adjuster pivot balls 50 into stamped ball socket 10 during theassembly process.

[0021] Extending from four lead-in tabs 90 toward base 60 of stampedball socket 10 are four lock-in fingers 100 which project into stampedball socket 10 at the same angle as angled lead-in tabs 90. Lock-infingers 100 are peninsula-shaped portions of metal that are detachedfrom walls 80 on three sides by the stamping process which stamps out aroughly W-shaped section of metal 105 which is outlined in FIG. 2. Thefourth side of each lock-in finger 100 is not cut and is continuous witha corresponding angled lead-in tab 90. The side of each lock-in finger100 opposite angled lead-in tab 90 is arcuate in shape. Four lock-infingers 100 extend inward toward base 60 at an angle such that the fourarcuate leading edges of lock-in fingers 100 define an opening that isroughly circular in shape. The diameter of the circular opening createdby these four arcuate sides is smaller than the diameter of adjusterpivot ball 50.

[0022] Along with the head of fastener 30 and four walls 80, lock-infingers 100 define a ball retaining cavity in stamped ball socket 10.Lock-in fingers 100 serve to lock adjuster pivot ball 50 in place inthis ball retaining cavity and provide superior resistance to balldisengagement due to vibration and wear. Lock-in fingers 100 alsoprovide a surface for adjuster pivot ball 50 to swivel against as theheadlights are aimed.

[0023] In assembly, the present invention allows for adjuster pivot ball50 to be snapped into stamped ball socket 10 in one assembly motion.Lead-in tabs 90 guide the incoming adjuster pivot ball 50 toward theball retaining cavity formed in stamped ball socket 10. Adjuster pivotball 50 is then able to slip past angled lock-in fingers 100 and throughthe circular opening defined by the arcuate sides of angled lock-infingers 100. Adjuster pivot ball 50 may be inserted into stamped ballsocket 10 using only limited force because of the spring action of thesocket's four walls 80. This spring action allows lock-in fingers 100 toflex apart enlarging the circular opening defined by their arcuate sidesto accommodate adjuster pivot ball 50. However, once adjuster pivot ball50 is in stamped ball socket 10, four walls 80 spring back into placeand lock-in fingers 100 return to their original position so that theapproximately circular opening defined by their arcuate sides becomestoo small to allow adjuster pivot ball 50 to be removed. Whereas, uponinsertion, the inward force of adjuster pivot ball 50 pushes uponlock-in fingers 100 and flexes four walls 80 outward, the angle oflock-in fingers 100 is such that outward force on adjuster pivot ball 50does not flex four walls 80 in the same manner and removal of adjusterpivot ball 50 is prevented. In its locked position, adjuster pivot ball50 is held securely in position by the ends of four lock-in fingers 100against the head of fastener 30. Additionally, pivot ball 50 isadjustably secured in position so the aiming of the headlamp may beaccomplished.

[0024] Since stamped ball socket 10 is a single, stamped piece, it doesnot suffer from the loss of retention force that molded nylon piecessustain when they are forced off their molds. Instead, lock-in fingers100 securely hold adjuster pivot ball 50 in place through vibrationconditions. Because of stamped ball socket's 10 spring action walls 80and lead-in tabs 90, the required ball assembly force is also less thancurrent designs when compared at equal retention values. This allowsassembly and fixture flexibility.

[0025]FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, stamped ball socket 110. Similar to the first exemplaryembodiment depicted in FIG. 1, stamped ball socket 110 also utilizes adesign stamped from a single flat sheet of metal 115, such asheat-treated spring steel or half-hard RC 32 300 series stainless steel.The shape of this single flat sheet of metal 115 is shown in FIG. 5.Also like the first exemplary embodiment, stamped ball socket 110 isconfigured to join a headlamp pod, such as headlamp pod 20, and amounting bracket, such as mounting bracket 40, containing a number ofadjuster pivot balls 50. As shown in FIG. 4, stamped ball socket 110 hasa square-shaped base 120 containing attachment hole 135 which allows forthe fastening of stamped ball socket 110 to a headlamp pod using anattachment screw (not shown). Again, while base 120 is shown in FIG. 4with a square shape, base 120 could be any one of variety of shapesincluding, for example, circular. Also, as in the earlier describedexemplary embodiment, other fasteners, such as a bolt, may be usedinstead of an attachment screw to allow stamped ball socket 110 to beattached to a headlamp.

[0026] Two walls 130 of stamped ball socket 110 each extend fromopposite sides of base 120. Two walls 130 are only attached on one sideto base 120, allowing each wall 130 to flex slightly. Additionally,unlike in the previous embodiment, walls 130 are wider than base 120 andwiden just above base 120. Like the previous embodiment, opposite ofbase 120, each wall 130 is bent outwards and terminates in an angledlead-in tab 140. Lead-in tabs 140 aid in guiding adjuster pivot ball 50into stamped ball socket 110 during the assembly process. Extending fromthe other two sides of base 120 are sidewalls 150. Unlike walls 130,sidewalls 150 are slightly narrower than base 120. Additionally,sidewalls 150 are shorter than walls 130 and serve merely to provideadditional sideways restriction on an inserted adjuster pivot ball 50and to provide some additional stability.

[0027] As in the previous embodiment, extending from two lead-in tabs140 back toward base 120 of stamped ball socket 110 are lock-in fingers160 which project into stamped ball socket 110 at the same angle asangled lead-in tabs 140. Lock-in fingers 160 are peninsula-shapedportions of metal that are detached from walls 130 on three sides by thestamping process which stamps out a roughly W-shaped section of metal145 as indicated in FIG. 5. The fourth side of each lock-in finger 160is not cut and is continuous with a corresponding angled lead-in tab140. The side of each lock-in finger 160 opposite angled lead-in tab 140is stamped such that it is arcuate in shape. Both lock-in fingers 160extend inward toward base 120 at an angle such that the distance betweenthe two arcuate sides of lock-in fingers 160 is less than the diameterof adjuster pivot ball 50. Lock-in fingers 160 serve to lock adjusterpivot ball 50 in place and provide superior resistance to balldisengagement due to vibration and wear than molded ball sockets.

[0028] Like the previous embodiment, the present embodiment also allowsfor adjuster pivot ball 50 to be snapped into stamped ball socket 110 inone assembly motion. Lead-in tabs 140 guide the incoming adjuster pivotball 50 toward base 120 of the socket. Adjuster pivot ball 50 is thenable to slip between the arcuate leading edges of angled lock-in fingers160. As in the previous embodiment, adjuster pivot ball 50 may beinserted into stamped ball socket 110 using only limited force becauseof the spring action of the socket's two walls 130. This spring actionallows lock-in fingers 160 to flex apart enlarging the distance betweentheir respective arcuate edges to accommodate adjuster pivot ball 50.However, once adjuster pivot ball 50 is engaged in stamped ball socket110, walls 130 spring back into place and lock-in fingers 160 return totheir original position so that the distance between their arcuate sidesbecomes too small to allow adjuster pivot ball 50 to be removed.Whereas, upon insertion, the inward force of adjuster pivot ball 50pushes upon lock-in fingers 160 and flexes walls 130. The angle oflock-in fingers 160 is such that outward force on adjuster pivot ball 50does not flex walls 130 and removal of adjuster pivot ball 50 isprevented.

[0029] While in the previous embodiment adjuster pivot ball 50 wastightly held between fastener 30 and the arcuate leading edges of thefour lock-in fingers 100, the present embodiment only has two lock-infingers 160 decreasing the amount of sideways retention on adjusterpivot ball 50. To prevent adjuster pivot ball 50 from disengagingstamped ball socket 110 from either of its two “open” sides, sidewalls150 provide additional sideways restriction on adjuster pivot ball 50.To accomplish this task while still minimizing the amount of materialused in construction of stamped ball socket 110, sidewalls 150 onlyextend from base 120 to a height approximately even with the center ofadjuster pivot ball 50. At this height, adjuster pivot ball 50 istrapped by sidewalls 150, lock-in fingers 160 and fastener 30, andsideways disengagement is prevented.

[0030] Additionally, sidewalls 150 work along with lock-in fingers 160to provide a surface for adjuster pivot ball 50 to swivel against as theheadlights are aimed. Alternatively, larger lock-in fingers 160 may beused to provide more sideways retention by wrapping further around pivotball 50. If lock-in fingers 160 are large enough, then the need foradditional sideways retention by sidewalls 150 can be eliminated. Insuch cases sidewalls 150 can be bent inwards to provide additionalretention of the fastener if desired (not shown).

[0031] Like the previous embodiment, stamped ball socket 110 is asingle, stamped piece, so it does not suffer from the loss of retentionforce that molded nylon pieces sustain when they are forced off theirmolds. Additionally, stamped ball socket 110 does not suffer from thedisadvantage of sensitivity to heat and moisture which can be a problemfor sockets molded from nylon. Instead, lock-in fingers 160 andsidewalls 150 of the present invention securely hold adjuster pivot ball50 in place through vibration conditions. Because of stamped ballsocket's 110 spring action walls 130 and lead-in tabs 140, the requiredball assembly force is also less than current designs when compared atequal retention values. It is also worth noting that the two wall designof this second exemplary embodiment requires less metal than theprevious embodiment.

[0032]FIG. 6 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, stamped ball socket 180. Like the previously describedembodiments, stamped ball socket 180 also utilizes a design stamped froma single flat sheet of metal 190. The shape of this single flat sheet ofmetal 190 is shown in FIG. 7. Also like the previous embodiments,stamped ball socket 180 is configured to join a headlamp pod, such asheadlamp pod 20, and a mounting bracket, such as mounting bracket 40,containing a number of adjuster pivot balls 50. Stamped ball socket 180has a square-shaped base 200 containing attachment hole 205 which allowsfor the fastening of stamped ball socket 180 to a headlamp pod using anattachment screw (not shown). Again, base 200 could be of a shape otherthan square. As in the earlier described embodiments, other fasteners,such as a bolt, may be used instead of an attachment screw to allowstamped ball socket 180 to be attached to a headlamp.

[0033] Two walls 210 of stamped ball socket 180 each extend fromopposite sides of base 200. Two walls 210 are only attached on one sideto base 200, allowing each wall 210 to flex. In the previous twoembodiments, a roughly W-shaped piece is stamped out of each wall andeach wall is then bent outwards to simultaneously create lead-in tabsand lock-in fingers. Lock-in fingers 220 of the present embodiment arenot formed in this manner. Instead, the top of each wall 210 is cut toform an arcuate edge surface. The top of each wall 210 is then foldedinward back towards square base 200 to form angled lock-in fingers 220.As in the previous embodiments, the distance between the leading arcuateedges of lock-in fingers 220 is less than the diameter of adjuster pivotball 50.

[0034] The present embodiment also allows for adjuster pivot ball 50 tobe snapped into stamped ball socket 180 in one assembly motion. Adjusterpivot ball 50 is manually guided through lock-in fingers 220 toward thebase of the socket. Adjuster pivot ball 50 is able to slip between thearcuate leading edges of angled lock-in fingers 220. As in the previousembodiments, adjuster pivot ball 50 may be inserted into stamped ballsocket 110 using only limited force because of the spring action of thesocket's two walls 210. This spring action allows lock-in fingers 220 toflex apart enlarging the distance between their arcuate edges toaccommodate adjuster pivot ball 50. However, once adjuster pivot ball 50is engaged in stamped ball socket 180, walls 210 spring back into placeand lock-in fingers 220 return to their original position so that thedistance between their arcuate sides becomes too small to allow adjusterpivot ball 50 to be removed. Whereas, upon insertion, the inward forceof adjuster pivot ball 50 pushes upon lock-in fingers 220 and flexeswalls 210. The angle of lock-in fingers 220 is such that outward forceon adjuster pivot ball 50 does not flex walls 210 and removal ofadjuster pivot ball 50 is prevented.

[0035] The design of the present embodiment results in wider lock-infingers 220 which encircle pivot ball 50 and provide both vertical andlateral retention of pivot ball 50. As a result, pivot ball 50 issecurely held in place between lock-in fingers 220 and the head of thefastener without the need for additional means of sideways retention.Like the previous embodiments, stamped ball socket 180 is a single,stamped piece, so it does not suffer from the loss of retention forcethat molded nylon pieces sustain when they are forced off their molds.Additionally, stamped ball socket 180 does not suffer from thedisadvantage of sensitivity to heat and moisture which can be a problemfor sockets molded from nylon. Instead, lock-in fingers 220 of thepresent invention securely hold adjuster pivot ball 50 in place throughvibration conditions. Additionally, the present exemplary embodimentrequires less material than both of the previously described exemplaryembodiments.

[0036] Three exemplary embodiments of the current invention have beendescribed which pivotably attach a headlamp pod to a mounting brackethaving one or more adjuster pivot balls. This is accomplished byattaching the stamped ball sockets to the headlamp pod by utilizing afastener (shown as an attachment screw) inserted through the attachmenthole and into the headlamp pod. The mounting bracket is then attached byinserting the adjuster pivot balls into the stamped ball sockets.However, the present invention may also be utilized to connect aheadlamp pod with adjuster pivot balls to a mounting bracket withoutadjuster pivot balls simply by securing the stamped ball socket to themounting bracket utilizing a fastener inserted through the attachmenthole and then inserting the adjuster pivot balls into the stamped ballsockets to secure the headlamp pod.

[0037] While the present invention has been described in detail withreference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, such is offered byway of non-limiting example of the invention, as other versions arepossible. It is anticipated that a variety of other modifications andchanges will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art andthat such modifications and changes are intended to be encompassedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to amounting bracket having at least one pivot ball protruding on a postusing a single fastener, comprising: a base having an opening formedthere through, said opening adapted to accept the fastener such thatwhen the fastener is inserted through said opening and engages theheadlamp pod, the ball socket and headlamp pod are fixedly connected; atleast two walls extending from said base; at least two lock-in fingersprotruding at an angle from said walls such that said lock-in fingersand said walls flex to allow the pivot ball to be inserted between saidlock-in fingers and such that when said pivot ball is fully inserted itis adjustably retained in the ball socket by said lock-in fingers; andwherein said base, said walls, and said lock-in fingers are integrallyformed by stamping a single piece of metal.
 2. The ball socket of claim1 having four walls and four lock-in fingers.
 3. The ball socket ofclaim 1 having four walls and two lock-in fingers.
 4. The ball socket ofclaim 1 having two walls and two lock-in fingers.
 5. The ball socket ofclaim 1 wherein said single piece of metal is heat-treated spring steel.6. The ball socket of claim 1 wherein said single piece of metal ishalf-hard RC 32 300 series stainless steel.
 7. The ball socket of claim1 wherein each of said lock-in fingers is formed by stamping a roughlyW-shaped section in said single piece of metal.
 8. The ball socket ofclaim 1 further comprising at least two lead-in tabs protruding outwardand at an angle from said walls to aid in the insertion of the pivotball.
 9. The ball socket of claim 8 wherein said at least two lead-intabs are integrally formed from said single piece of metal.
 10. A ballsocket for attaching a headlamp pod having at least one pivot ballprotruding on a post to a mounting bracket using a single fastener,comprising: a base having an opening formed there through, said openingadapted to accept the fastener such that when the fastener is insertedthrough said opening and engages the headlamp pod, the ball socket andheadlamp pod are fixedly connected; at least two walls extending fromsaid base; at least two lock-in tabs protruding at an angle from saidwalls such that said lock-in fingers and said walls flex to allow thepivot ball to be inserted between said lock-in fingers and such thatwhen said pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained betweensaid lock-in fingers and the fastener; and wherein said base, saidwalls, and said lock-in fingers are integrally formed by stamping asingle piece of metal.
 11. The ball socket of claim 10 having four wallsand four lock-in fingers.
 12. The ball socket of claim 10 having fourwalls and two lock-in fingers.
 13. The ball socket of claim 10 havingtwo walls and two lock-in fingers.
 14. The ball socket of claim 10wherein said single piece of metal is heat-treated spring steel.
 15. Theball socket of claim 10 wherein said single piece of metal is 301stainless steel.
 16. The ball socket of claim 10 wherein each of saidlock-in fingers is formed by stamping a roughly W-shaped section in saidsingle piece of metal.
 17. The ball socket of claim 10 furthercomprising at least two lead-in tabs protruding outward and at an anglefrom said walls to aid in the insertion of the pivot ball.
 18. The ballsocket of claim 17 wherein said at least two lead-in tabs are integrallyformed from said single piece of metal.